British Invasion: Emilia Clarke and Ed Sheeran Spotted Low-Key in Wellington

By Lions Roar Aotearoa Lifestyle & Entertainment Desk

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND (Tuesday, January 27, 2026) — It was a “star-studded” Monday for Wellington locals as two of Britain’s biggest names—Game of Thrones icon Emilia Clarke and pop superstar Ed Sheeran—were spotted enjoying the capital’s local hospitality.

While both stars are global household names, they appeared to be embracing the classic “low-key” Kiwi vibe, with Clarke shopping for dinner and Sheeran stopping in for a quiet post-tour beer.

🐟 The Mother of Dragons Goes Fish Shopping

Staff at the Wellington Seamarket on Lambton Quay were left stunned yesterday when Emilia Clarke walked in to browse the fresh catch.

The Blue Cod Choice: Clarke was spotted eyeing up the blue cod. Staff member Teyenne Taana, who served the actress, said she was incredibly friendly and confirmed she was in town to film a new movie.
Filming Secrets: Clarke has previously teased a “dark” and “deeply uncomfortable” new project being filmed in New Zealand. She was even recently seen quizzing former co-star Jason Momoa for tips on the best Kiwi spots.
Local Invite: Taana invited the actress back to try the shop’s famous fish and chips, noting that she said she would be “around for a bit.”

🍺 Ed Sheeran’s “Out of the Blue” Visit

Just blocks away, Ed Sheeran surprised the team at Monsoon Poon by dropping in for a drink last night. The visit came as a shock to staff, as Sheeran had officially wrapped the New Zealand leg of his massive Loop world tour.

Down-to-Earth: Staff member Maddy O’Callaghan said the singer was charming and low-key. “Everyone was very, very excited to see him… but we were like, ‘no, no, no, let’s just leave him be’.”
Celebrity Wall: Sheeran kept up the tradition of signing a plate for the restaurant’s famous celebrity wall, leaving the message: “Thanks for the beer!” * The Loop Tour: The visit followed a string of sold-out stadium shows in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch earlier this month.

📸 Wellington Star-Spotting: Jan 26-27

Star	Location	Activity	Context
Emilia Clarke	Wellington Seamarket	Buying Blue Cod	Filming a “dark” new movie project.
Ed Sheeran	Monsoon Poon	Having a beer	Post-tour wind-down after Loop tour.

🇳🇿 NZ: The Celebrity Safe Haven

The casual nature of these visits highlights New Zealand’s growing reputation as a place where A-listers can walk the streets relatively undisturbed. Sheeran, in particular, is known for his love of the country; on a previous visit, he famously made headlines after being asked for ID while trying to buy a beer in the Wairarapa.

With Clarke set to be in Wellington for the duration of her filming, locals are keeping their eyes peeled for more sightings of the actress around the CBD.